On October 16, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Dean Beaupre
moved the trial against the San Francisco Cannabis Cultivators
Club from Oakland to San Francisco. Beaupre said that Attorney
General Dan Lungren's office exhibited "an appearance of
improper forum-shopping" when it decided to prosecute Dennis
Peron and five others in Oakland. Beaupre also said that "The
problem of this case should be obvious to a 10-year-old."
Peron, pleased with the ruling, said ``We feel completely vindicated.
I think all this political interference will have to come to an
end now." [ San Fran CCC, Ph: 415-621-3986, FAX: 415-621-0604
]

=-=-=-=-=-
SAN MATEO WORKING WITH MEDICINAL MARIJUANA

San Mateo County Supervisor Mike Nevin, a retired San Francisco
police inspector, has come up with several innovative ways to
help implement Proposition 215. Nevin wants local clinics, hospitals
and pharmacies to distribute marijuana, confiscated by the police,
to people who have a doctor's recommendation. Nevin believes that
after the marijuana is used as evidence and inspected for contaminants,
it can be distributed at a very low cost. Nevin has also suggested
that San Mateo county look into having hospices provide home delivery
of marijuana to patients who are too ill to leave their homes.
Health officials estimate that as many as 3,000 people in San
Mateo County would qualify for a doctor's recommendation for medical
marijuana, as required under Proposition 215.

=-=-=-=-=-
MARIN COUNTY WEIGHS IN ON MEDICINAL MARIJUANA

The Marin County Board of Supervisors may recommend that patients
requiring medical marijuana be issued certification cards to prevent
police from citing them for possession. Certificates would be
issued after verifying that the patient was a county resident,
had a serious illness, and that the treating clinician was licensed
by the state and had agreed that the use of cannabis was part
of the treatment plan for the illness cited. The supervisors hope
that this will clear up legal ambiguities caused by conflicting
state and federal laws relating to medicinal marijuana.

=-=-=-=-=-
UKIAH CAREGIVER ARRESTED. MEDICINE SEIZED!

The Ukiah (CA) Daily Journal reported on September 28 that
the designated caregiver for the Ukiah Cannabis Buyers Club (CBC),
Yvette Rubio, had been arrested on charges of felony cultivation
and possession of marijuana with intent to sell. Lake County Sheriff's
Detective, David Garzoli, disregarded a contract that Rubio has
with the Ukiah CBC. Police reportedly confiscated 51 plants, a
six month supply of medicine for the club's members, according
to Cherrie Lovett, director and founder of the Ukiah CBC. [ Ukiah
Cannabis Buyer's Club, Phone: 707-462-0691, Fax: 707-462-0691,
e-mail: SumoSan@hempseed.com ]

=-=-=-=-=-
TORONTO EPILEPTIC CHALLENGES MEDICAL MJ LAW

Terry Parker, a 42 year old, who suffers from epileptic seizures,
has challenged the Canadian law which prohibits the growing and
possession of marijuana for medical use. Parker was arrested in
1996 after the police allegedly seized more than 70 marijuana
plants growing in his apartment. Parker claims that the Canadian
law is unconstitutional. He is also trying to amend the Narcotics
Control Act to allow Doctors to write prescriptions for marijuana.

=-=-=-=-=-
TO WASHINGTON STATE VOTERS: VOTE YES ON I-685!!

On November 4, voters in Washington will vote on Initiative
685, which declares the "war on drugs" a failure and
promotes a medical approach to drug abuse. I-685 would allow doctors
to recommend the use of marijuana, heroin, and LSD. I-685 would
create a $6 million treatment and education program. If the initiative
passes, an estimated 300 inmates serving time for drug possession
could be released.

=-=-=-=-=-
MEDICAL MJ PROTESTER ARRESTED

Lynn Harichy, a 36 year old mother of four with multiple sclerosis
(MS), was arrested for marijuana possession while protesting at
a London, Ontario police station on September 15. Harichy, who
had no previous criminal record, was protesting Canada's law that
prevents her from using a medicine that is very effective for
her. Alan Young, who defended Chris Clay during his recent constitutional
challenge, is defending Harichy. Young will use Harichy's trial
to obtain a ruling that would exempt medical marijuana users from
criminal punishment.

=-=-=-=-=-
ABRAMS' MEDICAL MARIJUANA STUDY FINALLY APPROVED

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) officially announced
on September 18 that Dr. Donald Abrams of UC-San Francisco will
receive his full grant request to study the use of smoked marijuana
in AIDS patients. Abrams waited five years and submitted three
separate research protocols before finally receiving federal approval.
See summary of the approved protocol in this issue of Hemp Magazine
[ MAPS, 704-334-1798, info@maps.org, www.maps.org ]

=-=-=-=-=-
BRITISH DOCS BACK MEDICINAL MARIJUANA

This past July, the British Medical Association (BMA) voted
overwhelmingly for cannabis products to be made available for
medical use. It is believed that the BMA's Board of Science will
recommend wider use of marijuana. A recent survey of over 100
hospital doctors revealed that 78% believe that marijuana should
be available for therapeutic purposes.

=-=-=-=-=-
HOYT AXTON DENIED HIS MEDICINE

Country music star Hoyt Axton could receive over five years
in prison for using medicinal marijuana. Axton, who is recovering
from a stroke, uses marijuana for pain and stress relief. Montana
police found more than a pound of marijuana at Axton's home last
February. Deborah Hawkins, Axton's wife, received a one-year deferred
sentence and a $1,000 fine after she pleaded guilty to possessing
dangerous drugs and drug paraphernalia.

=-=-=-=-=-
MCCAFFREY'S VIEW ON HEMP

Drug Czar Fubar Barry McCaffrey's close minded attitude about
medical marijuana is well documented. What may not be so commonly
known is his opinion on industrial hemp. We now know that McCaffrey
is as ignorant about industrial hemp as he is about medicinal
marijuana. Below are some highlights from a document originating
from McCaffrey's Office of National Drug Control Policy, dated
July 29, 1997, entitled: "Statement on Industrial Hemp."
"The primary concern is the message it would send to the
public, especially to our youth. The second concern is that legalizing
hemp production may mean the de facto legalization of marijuana
cultivation. The third concern is that hemp is a novelty product
with limited sustainable development value even in a novelty market.
Hemp imports in 1996 were $1.2 million of $202 billion of agricultural
imports; six one hundredths of one percent. . . The ready availability
of other raw material has been the major reason for a 25% drop
in worldwide hemp production in the past 30 years. For these reasons
we do not consider it prudent to change the current status of
Cannabis Sativa as a controlled Schedule I drug."

It is therefore readily apparent that the retired General should
not be dictating America's "free market" Agriculture
policy any more than he should be threatening to arrest physicians
who recommend marijuana for therapeutic purposes.

The FBI reported that approximately 642,000 Americans were
arrested for marijuana in 1996, 85% for mere possession. The number
of arrests breaks the previous record set in 1995. The NORML Foundation
estimates that "Marijuana prohibition cost American Taxpayers
between $7.5 and $10 billion annually in enforcement alone."
[ NORML FOUNDATION, 202-483-8751, NORMLFNDTN@AOL.COM, www.norml.org
]

=-=-=-=-=-
DECRIM. ORIENTED JUDGE RUNNING FOR CONGRESS

Orange County (CA) Superior Court Judge James P. Gray announced
that he is running for the United States Congress. Gray is a Republican
who is known for his support of the decriminalization of drugs.
As a judge, Gray says that "I've seen what happens when we
have bad public policy, when we have badly drafted laws."
Former California Supreme Court Justice Marcus Kaufman has endorsed
Gray.

=-=-=-=-=-
CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST ALABAMA HEMPSTERS

Charges of felony marijuana trafficking against hemp store
owner, Angela Guilford, were dropped after Alabama Governor Fob
James was inundated with protests from around the country. Guilford
and her husband, Jeff Russell, were arrested for merely selling
industrial hemp products, which, according to Alabama's archaic
laws, are still considered marijuana. [ Ralph Bolen, 3928 Montclair
Rd., Suite 134, Monclair, AL, 35213-2415 ]

=-=-=-=-=-
HEMP BREW NEWS

Frederick Brewing Company's (NASDAQ: BLUE) Hempen Ale won a
bronze medal for brewing excellence in the herb/spice category
at the 16th Annual Great American Beer Festival, the largest such
festival held in the country. Hempen Ale also received a "Hempy"
award from HempWorld Magazine for Product Innovation at this year's
HIA Convention. Frederick Brewing recently introduced another
Hemp based beer, Hempen Gold, which is lighter in taste, body,
and color. [ Jonathan Gambill, 301-694-7899 x122, jonathan@fred.net
]

=-=-=-=-=-
DEEP E CO. WINS AWARD

Deep E Co., a Portland-based manufacturer of casual outdoor
footwear and accessories, received The International Design Resource
Award for its pioneering contributions in the field of sustainable
design. The Greenpeace Activist Bag, which Deep E Co. created
and designed under license with Greenpeace incorporates a variety
of environmental materials, including hemp canvas, recycled hardwood
toggles and Treetap, a rubberized, cotton-backed material
made from sustainably harvested latex. [ Deep E Co., 888-830-3520
]

=-=-=-=-=-
Acquittal In Hawaii Hemp Seed Trial

On October 8, a jury voted 9-3 to acquit Aaron Anderson, who
was indicted in 1992 for "commercial promotion" of marijuana
after ordering sterilized hemp seeds from China. Deputy Prosecutor
Kay Iopa testified that her office would not prosecute a "little
old lady," if she possessed hemp seeds, but would file charges
against an individual who "is very vocally, very outwardly,
advocating the legalization of marijuana." Based upon these
statements, a federal appeals court recently upheld a $3 million
lawsuit brought by Anderson against Hawaii prosecutors for unlawful
prosecution. [ Roger Christie @ (808) 961-0488 or NORML board
member Don Wirtshafter @ (614) 662-4367, don@hempery.com ]

-=-=-=-=-=-
AH SO, ASA IN JAPAN

Japan's oldest "hemp-eco-head shop", New Age Trading,
wants to sell YOUR hemp. They currently carry products from Ecolution,
The Ohio Hempery, and Of The Earth. New Age Trading would appreciate
it if you could send them catalogues and whole sale price lists
for your company's autumn and winter merchandise. New Age Trading's
representative, Koichi Maeda, is an advocate for the legalization
of hemp in Japan. He helped translate Jack Herer's "Emperor"
into Japanese. [New Age Trading, Koichi Maeda, phone/fax: 03-5481-8455,
taimado@bekkoame.or.jp, www.bekkoame.or.jp/~taimado/ ]

=-=-=-=-=-
DEAR JOHN, JOHN DEERE SERIOUS ABOUT HEMP

The Sept-Oct, 1997 issue of the John Deere & Company publication
"The Furrow" contains an article about alternative crops.
In the article, some of the positive attributes of hemp were noted,
including its potential in the paper making industry. The article
also mentioned that several U.S. farm groups are in favor of setting
up a simple regulatory system that would allow them to grow industrial
hemp. John Deere may also have a hemp adapter kit that can be
fitted on some of its baling machines.

=-=-=-=-=-
HEMP BILL MOVING IN MICHIGAN

According to Mike Kerwood with Outer World in Michigan, a piece
of industrial hemp legislation passed the Senate on a 60 to 0
(ZERO) vote. The bill is now in the Agriculture Committee and
could be acted upon during the January, 1998 session. [ Mid Michigan
NORML, 517-483-9179, mmn@mindspring.com ]

=-=-=-=-=-
2 STAR DOG OUTSHINES THEIR COMPETITION

An October 20th article in the San Francisco Examiner featured
the success of Berkeley based 2 Star Dog, founded by brothers
Steven and Allan Boutrous. The Boutrous' hired fashion designer
Stella Carakasi, whose work has propelled 2 Star Dog to the top
of the hemp fashion world. 2 Star Dog reportedly registers multi-million
dollar revenues, selling over 80,000 garments a year.